Getting Along

Getting Along





Learning to get along with others is very important.
Children who are kind, helpful, patient, and loving generally
do better in school.


What you'll need


No materials required



What to do


1. Let your child know that you are glad to be his mommy or
daddy. Give him personal attention and encouragement. Set
aside time when you and your child can do fun things
together. Your happy feelings toward your child will help
him feel good about himself.

2. Set a good example. Show your preschooler what it means to
get along with others and to be respectful. Say "please"
and "thank you." Treat people in ways that show you care
what happens to them. Ask for things in a friendly way. Be
kind to and patient with other people.

3. Help your child find ways to solve conflicts with others.
Help your child figure out what will happen if he tries to
settle his mad feelings by hitting a playmate: "James, I
know that Tiffany took your toy truck. But if you hit
Tiffany and you have a big fight, then Tiffany will have
to go home, and the two of you won't be able to play any
more today. What is another way that you can let Tiffany
know you want your truck back?"

James might decide to tell Tiffany that he's mad, and that
he wants his truck back. Or he might let Tiffany play with
his truck for 5 minutes with the hope that Tiffany will
then give it back. Listening to your children's problems
will often be all that is needed for them to solve their
own problems.

4. Make opportunities to share and to care. Let your child
take charge of providing food for hungry birds. When a new
family moves into the neighborhood, let your preschooler
help make cookies to welcome them.

5. Be physically affectionate. Children need hugs, kisses, an
arm over the shoulder, and a pat on the back.

6. Tell your child that you love him. Don't assume that your
loving actions will speak for themselves (although those
are very important). Teach your child the international
hand sign for "I love you." You can "sign" each other love
as your child leaves home for the first day of
kindergarten.





Children need good social skills. Teachers and other
children will enjoy your youngster's company if he gets along
well with others.


My Book





Most 4-year-olds like to talk and have a lot to say. They
generally can't write down words themselves, but they enjoy
dictating a story to you.


What you'll need


Paper
A paper punch
Blunt-tipped scissors
Pencil, pen, crayons
Yarn, pipe cleaners, or staples
Paste



What to do


1. Make a booklet of five or six pages. Your child can help
punch holes close to one edge and thread yarn through the
holes to keep the pages together. You can also bind the
book with twisted pipe cleaners, or staple the pages
together.

2. On the outside cover, write your child's name. Explain to
him that this is going to be a book about him.

3. Let your child decide what will go on each page. Write it
down. Examples: Other people in my family. My favorite
toys. My favorite books. My friends. My pet. My
neighborhood. My home (or my bedroom). My own drawings.



Making this book will help your child develop his language
skills and give him more practice using the small muscles in
his hands. Your 4-year-old will also love having your undivided
attention.


What About Kindergarten?


The activities in this book can help your child from birth
to age 5 get ready for kindergarten. As the first day of school
approaches, however, you may want to do extra things to make
the school seem a friendlier place for both you and your child.

Find out as much as you can about the school before your
child enters it. You will want to learn

* The principal's name;

* The kindergarten teacher's name;

* When to register for kindergarten and what forms need to
be filled out;

* What immunizations are required for school entry;

* A description of the kindergarten program;

* The kindergarten yearly calendar and daily schedule;

* Transportation procedures;

* Food service arrangements; and

* How you can become involved in your child's education and
in the school.

Some schools will send you this information. Or they may
hold an orientation meeting in the spring for parents who
expect to enroll their children in kindergarten the following
fall. If they don't, you can call the principal's office to ask
or to arrange a visit.

Find out in advance what the school expects from entering
kindergarten students. If you know a year or two ahead of
time, you will be in a better position to prepare your child.
Sometimes parents and caregivers don't think the expectations
are right for their children. If that is the case, you may want
to meet with the principal or kindergarten teachers to talk
about the expectations and ways to change the kindergarten
program.



Visit the school with your child so your child can become
familiar with it, and it won't seem scary. Walk up and down the
hallways to learn where things are. Observe the other children
and the classrooms.

Talk with your child about school. During your visit, make
positive comments about the school--your good attitude will rub
off! ("Look at all the boys and girls painting in this
classroom. Doesn't that look like fun!") Tell your child about
what the children do when classes begin.

Talk about the teachers, and how they will help your child
learn new things. Encourage your child to look at the teacher
as a wise friend toward whom children should be courteous.
Explain to your child how important it is to go to class each
day.

If possible, consider volunteering to help out in the
school. The staff may appreciate having an extra adult to help
do everything from passing out paper and pencils in the
classrooms to supervising on the playground. Volunteering is a
good way to learn more about the school and to meet its staff
and other parents.

When the long-awaited first day of kindergarten arrives,
go to school with your child (but don't stay too long). And be
patient. Many young children are overwhelmed at first because
they haven't had much experience in dealing with new
situations. They may not immediately like school. Your child
may cry or cling to you when you say goodbye each morning, but
with support from you and the kindergarten teacher, this can
rapidly change.



As your child proceeds through school, you will need to
continue your encouragement and involvement. But for now,
celebrate all that you have accomplished as a parent. Share
your children's enthusiasm. Let them know how proud you are as
they leave home for their first day of kindergarten. Let them
know you believe they will succeed.